Jacob Palmer Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 I am looking to upgrade from my coke forge to a gas forge, and I don't quite know what to do. I can buy one of those fancy centaur forge ones for half a grand, buy one of those ebay ones for 150$, or make my own. It would be hard to get enough money to afford the 500$ ones, and I don't have access to a welding machine currently. What do I do? Thanks, Jacob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 I built my first two gas forges at gas forge building workshops put on by an ABANA affiliate. Each one was one Saturday and I got a known good plan and all the parts were supplied. I even got the welding done by a pro as we built them assembly line style and then at the end drew for who got which one---keeps everybody honest as you don't know which one would be yours and so couldn't risk slacking off or doing extra work. Who knows the local group may put on such a workshop or have a local forge builder in it. Have you checked with them yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneCoeArtistBlacksmith Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 Check out the Build a Gas Forge attachment at the Forge Supplies page on my web-site. You can use bolts and bend tabs on the burner tube so no welding required. You can find my contact info on my Profiles page. I prefer e-mail. Let me know if I can help you. Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John in Oly, WA Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 They're not hard to build. Old propane tanks without the overfill safety float can often be found for free. There are a lot of examples right here on IFI showing people building their first forge. And as Wayne said, he has plans and materials available on his site. I think it's the best way to go. Cheaper than buying one and you know what you've got when it's all said and done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey98118 Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 Reading the Forges 101 thread will clue you in on the whys and hows of forge design so that you have a clue what you are looking at; including whether its price tag represents real value or you are being suckered BIG TIME. And if you don't think most commercial forges are sucker deals...well, that just proves you haven't read the thread, doesn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacob Palmer Posted February 1, 2018 Author Share Posted February 1, 2018 43 minutes ago, Mikey98118 said: Reading the Forges 101 thread will clue you in on the whys and hows of forge design so that you have a clue what you are looking at; including whether its price tag represents real value or you are being suckered BIG TIME. And if you don't think most commercial forges are sucker deals...well, that just proves you haven't read the thread, doesn't it? Ya got me, I can't read or write. Silly me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 Just remember: I do visit the Mother Ship in Round Rock from time to time.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey98118 Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 Jacob, The point isn't how sharp you were before, but where you get the information you need before opening your wallet. Don't look back; keep a sharp eye out forward, where the brick walls and trees are coming at you from Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 My latest copy of Backyard Blacksmithing was sourced from a bookstore in Round Rock; (should have bought two as one of my Daughter's in law started smithing recently back in Ohio) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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